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Stages of Change... Transtheoretical Model of Change

Coach Jana L Beutler, M.Ed.

So….you want to make some changes. Most
of us, at one time or another in our lives, reach a point when we know—way
down deep inside—that something in our lives has to change, and that WE have
to be the ones to change it. Be it spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or
physically, the status quo is no longer satisfying our needs, and it’s time
to do something about it. When it comes to our self-image, it is often a
grueling and difficult task to make change, however, because the thoughts
that have “fed” our behaviors for so long are deeply ingrained in our
psyches, and the habits of thought are hard to break.

Psychologists Prochaska, Norcross, and
DiClemente, among others, have developed a theory about the process of
change, and the process by which we can be effective at implementing change
in our lives. This model is called the Transtheoretical Model, and involves a
number of steps by which people have been professionally and successfully
treated and taught to manage their problem behaviors through behavior
modification. As you read, ask yourself where you are in the process of
change, and what obstacles are standing in your way from reaching the next
level, and ultimately success.

PRECONTEMPLATION

In this stage, a person is unaware
that he or she has a problem, or is under-aware of the problem. There is no
expressed desire to make any changes, and no real concern or immediacy for
anything to be different. If asked, we might say that things are fine, and
that if nothing is different a year from now, it would be okay. Others around
us may think we have a problem, or may be concerned about us, but we don’t
see their need for concern, or simply don’t care. In terms of weight loss,
when in this stage, we are comfortable with our weight, eating habits,
health, and activity level. We don’t notice any real problems related to our
bodies and are in a state of what is commonly referred to as “denial.”

CONTEMPLATION

In this stage, an individual has become
aware that there may be a problem, and has begun considering doing something
about it. An overweight person may notice that he or she is out of breath
when walking a short flight of stairs, or notices that his or her clothes
don’t fit the way they used to. He or she realizes that his or her health may
be in jeopardy, and is beginning to “wish” that things could be different.
When in this stage we often talk about how we really should lose weight. We
should go to the gym. We should say no to chocolate super fudge brownies. We
should eat more fruits and veggies. We should...we should….we should...but we
don’t.

COMMITMENT

In this stage, we have become more than
aware that we have a problem. We are motivated to do something to change it.
Our health is at risk. We don’t like ourselves. We are self conscious.
“Darnit,” we say. “I can’t take it any more. It’s time to do something about
this.” We go beyond saying “I should” and begin saying “I will.”
Interestingly, this is a difficult stage to get to. We often enter this stage
and commit to change only when the alternative is no longer tolerable. The
thought of NOT changing is unbearable. We can’t stand being out of shape any
more. We are sick of the way we feel about ourselves. We are sick of watching
life instead of participating in it. It is in this stage that change—and
progress—are born.

PREPARATION

So we’ve decided to change. Perhaps
we’ve decided to lose weight, or be more active, or change our eating habits,
or stop telling ourselves negative thoughts. So how do we go about doing
that? We need a plan. We brainstorm. This is our “could” stage. We think of
every possible alternative and resource. We could join a gym. We could hire a
personal trainer. We could eat nothing but lean cuisines. We could go on a
grapefruit diet. We could exercise an hour every day. They may be realistic,
or downright crazy, but we’re brainstorming. We look at our options, and we
choose the ones that will work for us. We prepare for battle. We buy the
workout outfits with the matching headbands. We invest in expensive home gym
equipment. We buy unproven supplements from professional looking models on
tv. We rid our homes of dangerous temptations. We devise a plan, and are
intent on following it through. We are ready.

ACTION

We’ve committed. We’ve prepared. We are
physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready to embark on a journey by
which we will improve our lives. And we follow our plan. The action stage is
the “I am” stage. I am working out 3 days a week. I am following a sound
nutrition plan. I am catching myself and the negative things I say to myself
about food and my weight. I am feeling better. I am proud of myself. I am
doing. I am acting responsibly. I am changing and I feel it. This stage, when
engaged consistently, will result in the changes for which we have prepared
and desired for so long. Is it easy? No. Is it always fun? No. Does it take a
great deal of motivation, support, desire, and tenacity? Yes. Is it worth it?
Yes. If you stick to it, will it happen? Yes.

The key is to enjoy the doing
as much as the results of doing. Take pride in the fact that you are behaving
better. You deserve respect. You’re doing more than most. You’re way ahead of
where you were in the game back when. The secret is to keep doing. It takes a
week or less to form a bad habit; it takes at least 30 consistent abstinent
days to break one. Give yourself time to form good habits that will last you
long after you’ve reached your weight loss goal. Just keep doing.

MAINTENANCE

Whew! You’ve been working out. Your
clothes fit differently. You feel proud when you look in the mirror. You hold
your head higher. You have more self confidence. The danger of this stage,
after we’ve made some big changes, is that we slide into complacency. We’re
no longer so uncomfortable that we MUST change, and we are at high risk for
relapse into past unhealthy and ineffective behaviors. Research shows that
people who are able to maintain healthy changes for a minimum of six months
have a great chance of success. If we can maintain—not the weight, but the
behaviors that have helped us lose it—then we are on our way to lifelong
changes. All those good habits that were hard for us at times—working out,
watching what we eat, encouraging ourselves, getting support from others—have
become part of our lifestyle. It’s just what we do, and the alternative is
not an option.

When we have gotten to the point where
we have implemented healthy lifestyle BEHAVIORS into our daily living, and
continue to engage in those healthy behaviors regardless of the fact that we
have reached a weight loss goal, it is THEN that we will have been truly
successful at changing for life. When it becomes unthinkable to BEHAVE
differently, then we will have reached the point where weight is no longer
the focus of our goals, and will no longer be a source of low self-esteem.
After all, we will be managing our lives in a way that demands respect from
others, and it will show not only in the fitness of our bodies, but in the
confidence and pride with which we greet the world. And THAT is where real
success is measured.

Jana
Beutler, Owner
of Strength Wellness Athletic Training, LLC (S.W.A.T.) and Life in Motion
Coaching, has a
Masters Degree in Educational Psychology, and is a Certified Personal
Trainer, a Certified Counselor, and Lifestyle Coach. She writes extensively
on behavior modification, cognitive behavior change strategies, and
motivation. This handout is intended for personal use of Life in Motion clients, and is not to be copied, or otherwise
used without expressed, written permission. (c)2015 Jana Beutler
and Life in
Motion Coaching.